Who stayed with their horse for PTS by injection?

J

Joanne4584

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2013
Messages
174
Location
North East
Visit site
Hi.

I do not want to start the age old debate about which PTS method is best. I have decided on injection and the vet is coming this Thursday.

The question I'm asking is, have any of you stayed with your horse while it was PTS by injection? I'd like to be there with my horse but on the other hand I don't want to witness him collapsing in a heap.

Any experiences would be much appreciated. Thank you x
 
I stayed with my old horse when he was injected many years ago, and I also pts many different animals by either shooting or injection myself. Either method, you are unfortunately going to see your horse fall to the ground so as long as you are prepared for that and don't be shocked by it. However, what you have to remember is that your vet will sedate your horse prior to injecting the stuff that will stop the heart, so your horse won't know anything about it. It can look dramatic (by both methods) but your horse really won't know anything of it. The other thing that you need to be aware of is the reflex actions and exhalation of air from the lungs once the heart has stopped. This happens to the majority of horses a few minutes after pts, and sometimes limbs and the head can move suddenly, accompanied by a groan/exhalation of air. All this is is the nerves and muscle reflexes and doesn't mean that the injection hasn't worked at all so don't be alarmed, it is completely normal, and your horse won't be clinically alive or conscious by this point.

Whatever you decide to do, don't feel bad. Some owners rather stay, some don't and it's not a reflection on you as an owner. Make sure you have someone there to support you at the time.
 
I have stayed with two ponies whilst they were pts by injection. They weren't mine, they belonged to friends, but I was very close to them both. I stood holding their lead ropes, patting them and giving them polos. I made sure I stayed very calm before and during the injection, so as not to worry them. They both just lay down as if they were going to go to sleep, they were gone before they got all the way down and I lay their heads gently on the ground, before allowing my emotions to come to the surface.

Sorry you're having to go through this with your horse. I'm sure all will go smoothly. Thoughts are with you, take care x
 
I've done both. One occasion the horse was at the vets and we just gave consent over the phone and collected the body. Other times I've been there, injection and gun. Personal choice, don't feel bad if you don't want to be there.
 
I have had two of mine PTS by injection .
It's not as quick as shooting so I found both of them more distressing (to me )than the ones that where shot.
It's a personal thing staying ,I would stay no matter what I see it as my last duty to them.
He will of course collapse and may fight to stay on his feet the vets like you back a bit away from the horse in case they go up and over backwards my last one did this and he was a large horse that was a bit shocking , but he probably was not conscious at that point.
Either way it's not a nice thing to see only you can make the choice there's no right or wrong thing to do .
 
I only stayed until sedation-my husband chose to stay up until the end (and I would say that was only the second animal he'd ever seen PTS-he said it was very peaceful and undramatic). I have stayed with other horses and many other animals until the end and agree with Moomin, there's no right or wrong way-do whats right for you. Best wishes.
 
I did with a horse I'd had for over 17 years. Was the most peaceful thing I have seen.
He went down slowly and still had a polo in his mouth and his ears pricked. no dramas no mess just looked like he'd gone to sleep.
My vet was amazing, sedated him then I walked him up to a big straw bed where I knew his body could be collected easily. Had my best friend and I sharing stories about all the mischief he had got up to in his life with him listening on whilst I fed him polos and the vet gave the injection. Two deep breaths and he went down slowly and that was the end of the journey of my very special lad.
You got anyone to be with you on the day?
 
Yes, I have - I felt that I owed it to the horse each time - as I have done when I've had them shot.

Both of the injected horses were at the end of an illness, hence vet involvement. I think you have to be able to stay calm whatever happens, both of my injected horses fought the injection. One hated injections, so fought the vet on principle and the other obviously disliked the feeling and tried to stand up on her back legs. I've had other horses which have fought sedation for other purposes, so you do need to bear in mind that this could happen.
As Moomin says, virtually every horse will have reflex actions a few seconds/minutes after death and that is something else to be prepared for.
I would always advise leaving the scene before the carcase is winched onto the lorry. IMO that is the worst part of the whole experience for the owner, whatever else has happened in the period leading up to it.
 
Hello, sorry to hear you are having to go through this
Unfortuntely I have been with horses whilst being PTS through shotting & injection - if done by a competant person they are both humane deaths for the horse.
My last horse was put down by injection, it was quick & peaceful for her, I stayed with her, the vet told me to step away just before the injection took effect & he guided her down. Terrble for me - fine for the horse.
If you can't face it there is no shame in not being there, if you have got somebody who will deal with it for you & you really can't face it don't be ashamed of handing your horse over to some one else, the most important thing for the horse is having calm & competant people around for the end.
I prefer not having anyone else with me, just me & the vet, so I can walk away & sob quietly.
I hope it goes well for you on Thursday, your vet will know what he is doing so I'm sure your horse will go peacefully.

o
 
A good vet will make sure they don't "collapse in a heap" but rather lay down in a controlled and safe way. The vet who was there for my pony even made sure the slope of the ground was right and he was standing in such a way as to make sure he landed in a natural position (flat out on his side was pretty natural for him!). If you're concerned about that moment of going down, tell your vet and stand well back at end of lead rope (vet will be in control but you'll want to feel connected) and close your eyes and ask vet to tell you when he's down so you can be close to him again.
The most important thing is having a vet who is experienced and understanding there doing it.
 
I didn't and I really wish I had done. It's the one thing I regret more than anything. When my mum stayed for our old cob who had to be PTS by inj, the vet told her just to look away when he was about to go down, she did and then when she looked back he was just on the floor. She said it wasn't as bad as she'd thought.
 
AshTay said:
A good vet will make sure they don't "collapse in a heap" but rather lay down in a controlled and safe way. The vet who was there for my pony even made sure the slope of the ground was right and he was standing in such a way as to make sure he landed in a natural position (flat out on his side was pretty natural for him!). If you're concerned about that moment of going down, tell your vet and stand well back at end of lead rope (vet will be in control but you'll want to feel connected) and close your eyes and ask vet to tell you when he's down so you can be close to him again.
The most important thing is having a vet who is experienced and understanding there doing it.
Click to expand...

I think it's important to note that every horse is different, and whilst a good vet will do everything they can to make it go as smoothly as possible, not every horse will sink slowly to the ground. It all depends on the blood pressure/condition of horse/adrenalin levels/amount of sedation used etc. Some horses react very suddenly to it and drop quite quickly, looking dramatically, whilst others will sink slowly just as if they are going to have a roll etc.
 
Sorry to hear that you are having to go through this. Mine have always been done with injection. For some of them I held them until they were sedated and then my friend took over whilst I walked away. For others I held them to the end - it really depended on how I was feeling. As others have said, with a good vet it is not a dramatic event as they will get them down in a controlled way.

One piece of advice I will give however is do NOT stay to watch them loaded up to be taken away.
 
I have held several, they are sedated first then usually taken out to a suitable place where they can fall safely and be collected easily, possibly some nice grass to nibble at while the vet is preparing the main injection, all the ones I have dealt with have been held by the vet for the final moment and gone down gradually much as they would if having a general anesthetic, they do groan a little and they tend to twitch or kick involuntarily but by then they are gone.
The part to avoid is the loading afterwards that can be upsetting and not nice to see.
 
I had to have my mare put to sleep in May after she broke her leg in the field. I chose to stay with her, and I'm so glad that it did. I never imagined that it would be so peaceful. I managed to get her into the sunshine, in the middle of the field where she had room to go down without anything to obstruct her. I held the rope as the vet gave her the injection, and she didn't even flinch (she never did mind injections). My vet then took her rope to guide her down, as he said that some horses struggled against the sensation and he didn't want her to catch anyone. In Alice's case, however, she just very gently laid herself down and I went and knelt beside her. She kept her eyes fixed on me, with this beautiful, calm expression, until I put my hand on her face, and then she closed her eyes and was gone instantly. From the injection to the moment when she stopped breathed, less than a minute must have passed. In all honesty, even lying there, she looked indescribably beautiful, like she was going to wake up at any minute. There was no mess or struggling, and nothing horrific at all, except for knowing that I'd lost her. She was impeccably behaved from beginning to end, as always, and I'll always be thankful to her for making it as easy on us as she could. I'd always choose the injection again, and I'd choose to be there, too, but that is a completely personal choice, and you have to do what feels right to you.
 
Joanne4584 said:
Hi.

I do not want to start the age old debate about which PTS method is best. I have decided on injection and the vet is coming this Thursday.

The question I'm asking is, have any of you stayed with your horse while it was PTS by injection? I'd like to be there with my horse but on the other hand I don't want to witness him collapsing in a heap.

Any experiences would be much appreciated. Thank you x
Click to expand...
I was there, held him and after he went down I had to go outside for a few minutes to compose myself but did go back in. I wanted to be there to keep him calm, which he was and have someone there he knew well, although he was also very weak. He crumpled down and was a mini so I suppose less dramatic than a big horse but I cannot lie, it was one of the most horrible things I have witnessed. I have no regrets.

I had organised everything previously so all I had to do was make a phone call after the vet left.

Sending strength for you. x
 
((((Hugs))))
It's such a heartbreaking decision but one that you will know is the right thing to do. I stayed with my beloved horse right till he had gone. The vets are usually really good as to how the horse goes down. It's just the same as when you put them out for an operation. I sat on the ground with my boy and cradled his head until he was gone.
 
I have stayed with several horses, including my beloved mare last November. Some just go down gently and peacefully, others do not. Sadly, my mare went down with a thud onto her back and kicked for a few seconds. But she did not have any gasps after that. I wish she could have gone down more peacefully and it physically hurts me to think of it, but I am glad I stayed with her. All five I have experienced though have been very quick. They were all different.
 
Thank you everyone for your replies.

I would regret it if I wasn't there. I have always been the one there for him so it wouldn't be right to leave him at the end. I do like the suggestion though of asking the vet to tell me when he's about to go down so I can look away. I already know I will not be there when he is taken away for cremation.


When I spoke to the vet nurse on the phone she said they don't sedate them first, she said they use a very powerful anesthetic, and a drug to stop the heart, which wasn't what I expected. She did explain about the reflexes etc afterwards. Bertie is great with the vet and doesn't flinch when faced with injections so I'm hoping he'll be as calm as normal. I don't think I'll be in a state. At least I hope not. I'll probably be crying but quietly. My horse has seen my crying enough times over the past 15 years so hopefully he won't think much of it! I'm not the type to like a fuss. My (non-horsey) boyfriend is going to be there with me. I'll have a very big cry once it's over.

If he does put up a fight I think it will be better than the image I'll have created in my mind if he was shot. I couldn't face being there for that, and I'd imagine what it would be like which would be much much worse than him having the injection.
 
I had the last one shot, she hated even the hint there might be an injection, so it was the best way for her. Quite honestly it was fine and so very very fast.
 
Joanne4584 said:
Thank you everyone for your replies.

I would regret it if I wasn't there. I have always been the one there for him so it wouldn't be right to leave him at the end. I do like the suggestion though of asking the vet to tell me when he's about to go down so I can look away. I already know I will not be there when he is taken away for cremation.

When I spoke to the vet nurse on the phone she said they don't sedate them first, she said they use a very powerful anesthetic, and a drug to stop the heart, which wasn't what I expected. She did explain about the reflexes etc afterwards. Bertie is great with the vet and doesn't flinch when faced with injections so I'm hoping he'll be as calm as normal. I don't think I'll be in a state. At least I hope not. I'll probably be crying but quietly. My horse has seen my crying enough times over the past 15 years so hopefully he won't think much of it! I'm not the type to like a fuss. My (non-horsey) boyfriend is going to be there with me. I'll have a very big cry once it's over.

If he does put up a fight I think it will be better than the image I'll have created in my mind if he was shot. I couldn't face being there for that, and I'd imagine what it would be like which would be much much worse than him having the injection.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about him not being sedated in the true sense of the word - the powerful anaesthetic will do exactly the same thing as a sedative so he won't know anything about having the second drug administered, or even lying down. You sound like a strong person who has cared for him deeply and will do until the very last seconds of his life.
 
Yes. Personal choice completely, once they're gone they're gone is the crux of it...me personally, I felt I owed it to him to be there till the end. It was horrific as it was not planned and a decision that I did not have time on my side to make unfortunately. For me, I felt better knowing he was there in familiar arms and with my oice till the end. So yes, I did it for the idea he got some comfort out of it. Me however, I'm not going to lie, it's the first horse of my own I've lost, and it struck me hard, really hard. I wish I was selfish and hadn't have stayed because of all the years of joy that fella gave me....the only one I have vivid in my mind is that final day now. I hate myself for thinking that too, as I adore[d] that lad.

You'll know when it comes to it. Me personally, I couldn't leave him. The actual PTS was not the hardest thing if that helps. It was horrific to me, because of how much he was deteriorating in such a small space of time prior. Seeing him out of pain and peaceful, made it easier as it was my last kind decision I could do for him.
 
Last edited:
Moomin1 said:
Don't worry about him not being sedated in the true sense of the word - the powerful anaesthetic will do exactly the same thing as a sedative so he won't know anything about having the second drug administered, or even lying down. You sound like a strong person who has cared for him deeply and will do until the very last seconds of his life.
Click to expand...

Moomin is completely right. My mare wasn't sedated beforehand, either. As far as I noticed, although I doubt my brain was fully functional at the time, she only had one injection, the one that did it, and as I said it was still incredibly quick and peaceful.

I also just wanted to add that I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this :(
 
Last edited:
Joanne4584 said:
Thank you everyone for your replies.

I would regret it if I wasn't there. I have always been the one there for him so it wouldn't be right to leave him at the end. I do like the suggestion though of asking the vet to tell me when he's about to go down so I can look away. I already know I will not be there when he is taken away for cremation.


When I spoke to the vet nurse on the phone she said they don't sedate them first, she said they use a very powerful anesthetic, and a drug to stop the heart, which wasn't what I expected. She did explain about the reflexes etc afterwards. Bertie is great with the vet and doesn't flinch when faced with injections so I'm hoping he'll be as calm as normal. I don't think I'll be in a state. At least I hope not. I'll probably be crying but quietly. My horse has seen my crying enough times over the past 15 years so hopefully he won't think much of it! I'm not the type to like a fuss. My (non-horsey) boyfriend is going to be there with me. I'll have a very big cry once it's over.

If he does put up a fight I think it will be better than the image I'll have created in my mind if he was shot. I couldn't face being there for that, and I'd imagine what it would be like which would be much much worse than him having the injection.
Click to expand...

I am so very sorry that you are going through this - I am sorry that you have to say goodbye to your beautiful boy.

However, I am very glad that you will have your boyfriend with you - he'll be an excellent support for you and you will need it. I am facing this possibility myself and have asked Kal's competition jockey Z to be there if/when the time comes - just in case I can't keep it together. If, for any reason, I just can't face being with him in his final moments (I so hope I can, but you never know - and there's no shame in not being able to), I want HIM to have someone he trusts with him - and that person is Z.

Big hugs - I will be thinking of you.

P
 
I have been with three who were PTS via injection. The first I walked away but stayed with the other two. All three were already down, so have not experienced them going down when PTS.
 
I was with my mare when I had her put to sleep a few months ago, it was my first time having to do the deed. She hit the floor the second the needle went in, the vet said she must have hit an artery so it killed her literally straight away, which I guess must have been a good thing but it was still quite shocking how quickly she went down. I'm glad I was there, it wasn't pleasant but it was as peaceful as it could have been. I just couldnt be there for the digger moving her afterwards and putting her in the hole.
 
Big Hugs... Really tough decision but you have and are doing the best thing for the animal you care about.
Like the others I've been with horses PTS both ways. By injection when it is planned (rather than having to do it in a hurry and in an emergency) the horse doesn't collapse - they lie down. It does take longer but you can be with them when they go to sleep so the last thing they feel and smell is you. Don't worry about him collapsing - going down is a small part of the process and quite calm and controlled. You are likely to be asked to step away slightly simply for safety - I like AshTray's suggestion of holding the lead rope - but then you can come back quite quickly and put his head on your lap or whatever.
BHS runs a "friends at the end" scheme if you want to chat with someone or have someone with you.
 
I've been with ten or more, including my own horse which wasn't planned. Some of them have already been down but for those that haven't, I have been lucky enough that all have gone down gently. We choose a small, grassy paddock so that they are not going down on to hard ground anyway.

They have all gone very quickly. I was devastated when I lost my own lad but am still glad that I was with him. He was my boy and was still responding to me even though he was in tremendous pain. The injection was a mercy.

Our vets always confirms death and then give you five minutes with the horse to say your goodbyes in peace and I treasure those times, heartbreaking though they are. However, I am another one that walks away before they are removed.
 
i stayed with my daughters horse throughout and am really glad i did. My vet was fantastic ,we gave her a special feed and as she was finishing she had a big dose of aneasthetic and muscle relaxant. it was very peaceful and calm,no trauma for her and i genuinley dont feel she was frightened as she was normally a stressy mare. i had taken her to the vets who had a padded stable but she just went down slowly and just looked asleep. i then had the opportunity to say goodbye to her on my own before leaving and vets organised disposal. i certainly dont regret it.
 
I've only had to do this once so far, but yes I did stay. My horse was such a wonderful friend, and I didn't want him to take his last breath without a familiar person nearby. I think he was calmer having his people about (OH stayed also) rather than a stranger.
I won't lie, we both got very upset, I didn't like to see him go down but it was quick. And however it had happened I'd have been upset. At least afterwards I could look back on it all and know that I hadn't left him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top